Day 76: Gaining Altitude

Hello!

I can't believe this week's post is getting out so late within the week. It has been a long one, and I have been spending these past two days recuperating and resting.

During my days off last week, my friend, Drew, and I got to go camping in the Grand Tetons. This was Drew's first time to see the Tetons, and it was such a great experience. We watched the sunrise at West Thumb Geyser Basin (...or rather Drew watched the sunrise while I photographed it), canoed in Jenny Lake for the morning, and hiked 14.5 miles for the rest of the day up Cascade Canyon to Lake Solitude and back. It was magnificent!

For those who followed my travels last year, I visited Lake Solitude via a different direction as my roommate from Oregon, John, and I camped in Paintbrush Canyon, climbed across the pass and descended to the lake, returning back the way we entered. Now I got to see Cascade Canyon from a different perspective as I walked surrounded by glacier-cut peaks and ridges. Looking up to Paintbrush Pass, I got to see how steep the trail we climbed last year actually was, along with how sharp of slope that trail nestled along.

Unfortunately, that evening and following morning was marked by dark clouds and rain. It was beautiful and calming, but didn't provide any good light for sunset or sunrise photos. By mid-morning though, we had cleared camp and were headed out to Mormon Row, where the famous barns sit against a Teton landscape. After showing Drew Jackson for a few hours, we headed home to Yellowstone.

Ever since that hike, I've been terribly sore from recovering from my hike, but work has been long and busy, leaving me ready to rest each day.

As far as the team went, our team had a difficult period this week as a lot of gossip and rumors were tearing several members down. The team had to spend extra time this week talking through and correcting these rumors and dealing with their effects, but the emotional drain in doing all of this has left the team weary. Gratefully, by the end of our team meeting, the team was already on the mend. I am so grateful that this team has been so victorious this summer in handling so much opposition while remaining steadfast in shining God's light in the midst of it.

So, I've been spending these past two days resting, sleeping longer hours, reading, and walking around. Sorry this post has arrived late this week, but I know you'll understand.

Blessings for your week (or rather weekend by now)!
Photos of the week are posted on the namesake link in the right column.